Murray State
Southeast Missouri State
'Breds win OVC opener 7-6 in 13, second game suspended by dark
3/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds won their Ohio Valley Conference opener against Southeast Missouri State in dramatic fashion, trailing 6-2 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie it at 6-6, then win the game with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 13th inning.
The second game of the day was suspended by darkness in the fourth inning with SEMO leading 6-3 after three innings.
In the first game, both starting pitchers -- Murray State's Craig Kraus and SEMO's Derek Herbig -- pitched well. The Redhawks (7-12, 0-1 OVC) scored a run in the first when Eric Horstman led off with a single, then stole second. He went to third on a groundout, then scored on a double by Frank Montiel to give SEMO a 1-0 lead.
Southeast Missouri State scored again in the third inning when Ernie Bracamonte hit a two-out home run to give the Redhawks a 2-0 lead.
Murray State (12-10, 1-0 OVC) got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when first baseman Clint Griggs got an infield single, then went to second on a single by third baseman Alex Stewart. Both runners advanced on a balk, then catcher Dustin Hennigar walked to load the bases. Designated hitter Jason Payton hit a two-out single to score Griggs and cut the SEMO lead to 2-1.
MSU scored again in the sixth when Stewart led off with a double and right fielder Lincoln Kent was hit by a pitch. They both moved up a base on a failed pickoff attempt, and Stewart scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2.
SEMO plated a run in the eighth when Bracamonte hit a one-out double, then scored on a single by Montiel to put SEMO ahead 3-2.
In the top of the ninth, Southeast Missouri State pushed its lead when Chris Gibson led off with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Bo Jenkins singled Gibson to third, then Jenkins scored on another sacrifice bunt. Jordan Payne then hit a liner to right field that got past a diving Kent for an inside-the-park home run to give the Redhawks a 6-2 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, left fielder Chaz Ebert hit a one-out single, then went to second on a groundout. Griggs popped a two-run homer to cut the SEMO lead to 6-4. Stewart singled to center, then pinch-hitter Jamie Leidolf slammed a home run to right field to tie the game at 6-6.
In the 10th inning, Southeast Missouri State left the bases loaded and stranded two runners in the 12th. In the bottom of the 13th inning, shortstop Michal Perconte double down the right-field line, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Second baseman Seth Hudson and Griggs were intentionally walked to load the bases, and Stewart slapped a single through the right side to score the game-winning run.
"I've said it all year long: This group of kids has worked hard," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "I truly believe they have a lot of character; they are quality kids.
"If ever there was a best game to give up, this would be it, down 6-2 with two outs in the last inning. It was a very frustrating game, and if they were going to get down and quit, this would be the best type of game to do that in. We didn't hang our heads, and we continued to battle, and when you do that, good things come of it.
"I thought West Harris did a nice job of coming in and keeping us in the game," McDonald said.
Stewart led the 'Breds offense with a 4-for-7 game, with a double, two runs and a run batted in. Griggs went 3-for-5 with his second home run of the season, two runs and two RBIs.
On the mound, Harris (1-2) earned the win, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out four and walking none in four innings of relief work. Kraus started the game, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out eight and walking one in 7-1/3 innings. Jon Ross Shelton came on in the eighth, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out one and walking one in 1-2/3 innings.
For SEMO, Bracamonte and Jenkins each went 3-for-6.
On the mound, Joey Evans (1-3) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits, striking out four and walking three in 3-2/3 innings. Herbig started the game, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out four and walking two in five innings. Jamie McAlister came on in the sixth, allowing one run on two hits, striking out six and walking none in 3-1/3 innings. Josh Parham entered in the ninth, allowing two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning. Brad Smith entered in the ninth and pitched to one batter, allowing a run on a hit.
The second game of the day was suspended by darkness after three innings and will resume tomorrow (Saturday) at noon. Southeast Missouri State led 6-3 when the game was called.
